Anwar claims injustice against opposition leaders
Published on: Tuesday, January 10, 2017
GEORGE TOWN: PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants an end to what he called "injustice" against Opposition leaders.Speaking briefly to reporters in the courtroom during a break at the hearing of his lawsuit, the former Permatang Pauh MP voiced his support for DAP and a PKR leader, both of whom face jail sentences if guilty.While one is facing a corruption charge for the sale of a house below market value, the other was charged with unauthorities possession of the confidential 1 Malaysia Development Berhad report and leaking it to the media.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We have enough of this injustice," he said.Anwar who is into the second year of his five-year-jail sentence for sodomy was in court for the hearing of his defamation suit against lawyer Ranjit Singh Dhillion, national daily New Straits Times and two others.The 69-year-old, who appeared in good spirits despite his frail condition, arrived at the courthouse around 9am but was only brought into the courtroom when a settlement was agreed on the suit in the late afternoon.He was surrounded by more than 15 prison guards and police officers while inside the courtroom but was allowed to speak to reporters and supporters who were seated in the gallery.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, the guards warned reporters not to ask questions other than the defamation suit when Anwar was asked about conditions in prison."There is no law to stop you from asking. This is a democracy. You can ask, there is no law to stop me from talking.
ADVERTISEMENT
It is your duty to ask. There is no law against it and in this court, only the judge has the authority to give any orders," Anwar told reporters.This prompted the guards, some of which are the elite Prisons' Department Rapid Action Troops, to surround Anwar and block his view of the gallery.Anwar continued to talk to the reporters, stating that he gets "tougher" treatment in prison now and that he has lost weight due to the prison food."I face more harassment from them now," he claimed.He also thanked all his supporters for showing up to support him. Some had waited outside the gates of the court complex shouting "Reformasi" since 8.30am and dispersed when the court proceedings adjourned for lunch.The court gates were locked and entry into the courtroom was also blocked when court proceedings resumed.A smaller crowd turned up after lunch but there was still heavy police presence inside the courtroom and around the court complex.Anwar's defamation case ended after a consent statement was reached with the first defendant, lawyer Ranjit Singh Dhillon agreeing to apologise to Anwar.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
